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The criminal court files of the man who opened fire in a Brampton courthouse have been released after the Star reported they were being kept secret.

The Star was earlier told by Brendan Crawley, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Ministry, that there may be legal restrictions on the files for Charnjit Bassi and that they would be withheld. No explanation was given for the potential restrictions.

On Wednesday, Crawley said staff had “completed a review” of the files and determined there was no restriction on access.

Bassi, 45, was fatally shot at the Brampton courthouse last Friday after he first opened fire on Const. Mike Klarenbeek, wounding him, according to the Special Investigations Unit.

His court files — spread across the GTA from Newmarket, Toronto and Brampton — reveal Bassi had at least five run-ins with police over more than 15 years, but was never convicted of any offence.

In 1997, Bassi was charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 and forgery of credit cards. Those charges were later withdrawn.

In 1999, he was charged with aggravated assault and possessing a dangerous weapon after a fight broke out among several men at a Peel-area restaurant and Bassi was alleged to have produced a sword. Those charges were discharged at a preliminary hearing, the Star has learned.

In 2002, Bassi was arrested in Toronto with three other men for allegedly taking part in a fraudulent scheme to skim bank card data and extract money from bank accounts using fake credit cards and debit cards.

He was charged with seven counts, including fraud over $5,000, possessing stolen property and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence — planning to counterfeit cards to withdraw money.

All four men had their charges withdrawn several years later, including Bassi’s in 2005. At that time, Bassi was listed as living at a property he did not own in Woodbridge.

Then in 2005, Bassi was again charged with credit card offences and conspiracy. Those charges were withdrawn in June 2005.

The most recent charge was in 2011, when Bassi was pulled over by York police and charged with refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test and possessing an unknown quantity of marijuana. Those charges were both withdrawn later that year.

Those details came as news to Bassi’s ex-wife, Sonia Chowdhry, as she learned of his past from investigators in the wake of his death.

Speaking through lawyer Rishi Singh Bhasin, whose firm Impact Law LLP she hired to deal with the fallout, Chowdhry said Bassi was not mentally ill or a religious fanatic.

“She’s currently in shock and in mourning,” Bhasin said, adding Bassi was never abusive to Chowdhry or her 6-year-old daughter.

“At no time during the marriage did Mr. Bassi illustrate traits of mental health illness, suicidal ideations or religious fanaticism.”

Chowdhry added Bassi was never abusive, calling him a “gentle” and “supportive” father.

In a 2009 filing for divorce, Chowdhry originally stated Bassi made $150,000 annually — without any paperwork supporting his financials or whether he was employed.

According to Chowdhry, Bassi was working at a factory when they were married in July 2001.

She said Bassi later entered into business with friends, including running a cash-and-carry and selling used cars.

In 2002, his employment was listed as “construction” in court documents and in 2011 it was recorded as “unemployed.”

Bassi and Chowdhry separated in 2008, when she moved down the street on Flower Trail in Brampton.

Bassi still cared for Chowdhry’s daughter, sometimes picking her up from school and taking her to the park. In the summers, he would tend to Chowdhry’s lawn, Bhasin said.

The two finalized their divorce amicably in 2012 without lawyers and without splitting assets. Bassi paid no spousal or child support, Bhasin said.

As friends and family are trying to reconcile the old Bassi with what they say was a new one, an explanation for why he was at the court on Friday remains a mystery.

According to court staff, he had no matter scheduled that day and no upcoming court dates.

After the divorce, Chowdhry had limited contact with Bassi, her lawyer said, and it was unclear if he was working.

Chowdhry said he had become more “spiritual” — praying more and going to temple — but that his religious outlook had not radically changed.

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